2012 aston-martin virage Model Overview

The Aston Martin Virage and Virage Volante slot between the DB9 and DBS in the British automaker’s stable. It is designed as a replacement car for the customers who bought a DB9 during the past 10 years, but do not want to step up to the edgier DB9. The car has a sensuous body with a long hood and short deck. It is a grand touring coupe in every sense. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission offering.

It makes 490 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque—20 more and 23 less, respectively compared to the DB9 and 20 horsepower less than the DBS. It rides on standard 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with massive 295/30 rear tires help put the V-12’s torque to the pavement. Front tires are 245/35R20.

The Virage and Virage Volante come with every luxury amenity one would expect from an exclusive British automaker including a leather- and Alcantara-wrapped interior, and crystal push-button start system. Whether you go with the two- or four-seat option, you will be surrounded by quality craftsmanship, even if the rear seat may be somewhat snug.

The Aston Martin Virage Coupe and Virage Volante (convertible) were all-new for 2011 and roll into 2012 virtually unchanged. The Virage slots into the nearly $70,000 void between the top-of-the-line DB9 and base DBS. The Virage is a little quicker and a little more athletic than the DB9, yet feels smoother and more refined. Aston Martin found 20 more horsepower from the DB9’s 6.0-liter V-12 thanks to new inlet manifold pumping power up to 490. The trade off is 23 less lb-ft of torque. The Virage cops the shorter final drive ratio from the DBS to make up for the lack of torque and help make the most of its higher rpm power.

Like all Aston Martins the Virage coupe is sleek with a long hood and short fastback rear. The dash-to-axle ratio contributes to its powerful stance only afforded by its rear-drive architecture. To the novice, the Virage looks like any Aston Martin from the past decade, but the real connoisseurs can see the subtle differences that make each model special. Volante’s convertible top is trimmed in Alcantara and fuzzy cloth inside and a heavy cloth outside. Aston Martin kept the soft-top in lieu of competitors with chunky-looking retractable hardtops that encroach on trunk space.

The interior features hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather trim from seven hides. A pinstripe welt flows down either side of the fascia and along the seat and door. Most of the interior is wrapped in high-quality leather or Alcantara, walnut fascia trim is standard. Other dash and door trim is optional. Many aluminum trim pieces serve as eye candy for the interior. Park/Drive/Reverse buttons on the center stack replace a conventional shifter, and there are steering column paddles for manual control. LED interior lighting is standard. Garmin supplies the satellite-based navigation system. A 700-watt audio system with Dolby Prologic II is available.

The Virage slots into Aston Martin’s lineup between the “base” DB9 and the top DBS. It is powered by the same 6.0-liter V-12 but with 20 more horsepower and 23 less lb-ft of torque. The new found power comes from a new inlet manifold. The Virage is rated 490 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Virage is a little quicker and a little more athletic than the DB9, yet feels smoother and more refined thanks to the DBS’ shorter final drive ratio which makes up for the lack of torque and helps it take advantage of its higher rpm power. Aston Martin claims the Virage will sprint from 0 to 60 mph under 4.5 seconds.

Recalls

If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Recall Date

2014-11-25

Description

Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heaters may fail, preventing the seat heaters from being able to be turned off.

Remedy

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall began in January 2015. Owners may contact Aston Martin Customer Service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0019.

Units Affected

7256

Recall ID#14V010000 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Consequence

If the accelerator pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assemblies. The recall began on February 11, 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0017. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes recall 13V-228. Any vehicle that has been remedied under the previous recall needs to have the current remedy applied.

Units Affected

5001

Recall ID#13V228000 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Consequence

If the throttle pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2013-05-29

Description

Aston Martin is recalling certain model year DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage, and Rapide vehicles manufactured from May 14, 2012, through April 10, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the throttle pedal arm may break.

Remedy

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the throttle pedal assemblies. The recall began July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0016.

Units Affected

689

Recall ID#15V846000 - LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Consequence

If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0021.

2012 Aston Martin Virage News and Reviews

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